Lunapads

I have recently been evaluating my environmental consumer behavior and am coming to the unfortunate conclusion that I’ve become rather complacent and arrogant, resting on my Lunapads laurels. Being an eco-entrepreneur (in my case) can be a bit of an excuse - after all, I’ve done my bit to save the planet and then some, right? What started this ball rolling was an e-newsletter I received from yoyomama.ca (highly recommended for Vancouver Moms who want to get the lowdown on everything from sample sales to local family-friendly events) entitled “the Great Diaper Debate”. I was intrigued to check out the writer’s perspective, but then disappointed to find that the extent of the “debate” only covered a comparison of 2 brands of unbleached disposable diapers. I fired off a huffy email to the editor letting her know that whether disposable or cloth diapers are greener is far from debatable, and lamented to Suzanne how framing it as a “debate” allows parents who choose not to cloth diaper to feel like they weighed 2 equal sides of an argument and made the most responsible choice.

But here’s the kicker: I use disposable (unbleached, but still) diapers on my daughter at night and while she naps. While I was pretty diligent with using cloth diapers (I even made my own wipes!) until she was about 2, she has now started to toilet-train. Having outgrown her toddler sized diapers (now donated to Suzanne’s baby Garret) we are using 2 disposables a day in the hopes that she will shortly be able to extend her daytime diaper-free skills 24/7. This admission has forced me to reconsider how green I really am.

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In general, I think most pregnant women don’t realize they have a lot of birthing choices. Almost 6 years ago, I went to my family doctor to confirm I was pregnant. After he congratulated me, he said he no longer practiced obstetrics and referred me to an obstetrician. My OB was a very kind gentle soul, but he’d “tsk tsk” me anytime I asked questions about alternative approaches to prenatal care and birthing. Back then, I was so naive that I didn’t even know what a midwife and doula did!

Fortunately for those of us in Canada, a few provincial medical plans fully cover the cost of using a midwife for prenatal, delivery and post natal care. Recently, my daily mainstream newspaper reported “Fewer and fewer family doctors are willing to live the lifestyle of obstetrics. The traditional way - where the doctor is the only one who can deliver a baby - is going to have to change. Nurses and midwives are very capable of delivering low-risk babies.”. Finally! A positive news story about the need for more birthing choices for women. If I had read this 6 years ago, I would have sought out a midwife. Fortunately, for my second birth, I had the most amazing team of midwives (pictured) who completely supported me in my desire to have a beautiful home birth.

While most women give birth in hospitals, at the opposite end of the birth spectrum is the practice of ‘unassisted childbirth’ or ‘freebirth’. Here is a link to a recent story about it. “Freebirthing” is the practice of giving birth at home, without the help of obstetricians, nurses or even midwives or doulas. Those who promote unattended delivery, called “freebirth,” say the practice offers mothers-to-be a natural way of welcoming their child into the world, free from drugs, machinery and medical intervention. Needless to say, the negative, scary tone of this story got me and my crunchy mama friends really riled up!

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This a story sent to us from Danielle - thanks for sharing!

“Just thought I’d share a smile with you. My 4 year old son was looking at my supply of Lunapads and picked up one of my Luna Liners. In his most serious voice he turned to me and asked if when I was finished using it if he could have a turn with it. I was very curious to find out what he wanted to do with a Luna Liner so asked what he needed it for. Anyhow, he thought it would make a very good carpet for his Playmobil house, or if not a carpet then it would make a good place for them to sleep, as they don’t all have beds, and it’s very soft. There are probably other mothers who use Lunapads who’ve had some interesting conversations with their children about them as well.”

Danielle goes on further to say “that’s one benefit of switching to Lunapads that I never expected: - the fact that I don’t “hide” them away has caused my children to ask lots of questions about what they’re for, and why I’m the only one who can put things in a particular pail etc, and really allowed us to talk about menstruation as a normal/ natural part of life.”

Well, I certainly would never have thought of using my Liner that way Please share with us your stories of how Lunapads fit into your family lifestyle or discussions. We’d love to hear about it!

There was a story in one of our national papers today about one of the downsides of having a doula at your birth. It had the annoying title “Aggravated at birth” with an illustration of a pregnant woman being pulled in two directions: one by a hospital nurse and another by a doula. While it is nice to see a mainstream newspaper write about doulas (women who provide coaching and support to birthing moms and their partners) I was dismayed to see the negative angle being highlighted. The story presented the view that doulas are buidling up hostility between themselves and hospital nurses due to differences in philosophy about birthing. While it is unfortunate that “extreme” doulas like the ones described in the article do exist, not all are like this, and they don’t need this kind of PR.

I was assisted by a doula for both my births. My first birth was in a hospital and I was surrounded by strangers (my doctor was on holidays) so I was grateful for the familiar face of my doula in the birthing room. She was encouraging, never pushy and never got in the way. She had techniques for me to manage the pain and gave lots of support to my partner too. In retrospect, I wished she was more vocal when my doctor insisted on giving me an episiotimy. I remember looking at my doula feeling stressed about the situation, but she just quietly watched and let me make the call. I reluctantly gave in to the episiotimy, but the experience made me determined to have a more gentle birth the second time.

The second time around, I had a great team of midwives and felt more confident about birth. I was surprised when they asked me if I was considering a doula for my second birth. I thought I didn’t need one, but I’m glad I opted for a doula again. Aleksandra, (pictured here with my son Garret) was not only extremely knowledgeable, but she was very much in tune with my needs prenatally and during labour (and I was much more clear about my needs the second time around too.)

In my view, a doula is an essential person to have at your birth (and a great pre and post natal resource too). Just be sure to hire one who fits your needs and personality. Don’t assume that she will speak up for you and make decisions for you, and don’t let her run the show. Get referrals from other moms, and make sure you establish a good connection with her. The last thing you want is someone who is inflexible and doesn’t really understand what you want… especially in the throws of full on labour!

we wish all our friends and readers a very merry christmas, felice navidad, happy hanukkah, happy winter solstice and other festive greetings of the season. a tradition we started last year was to have an annual year end lunch at a fabulous hangout called rahda, not far from our office. not only is the food great, but the entire menu is vegan, which makes sandra happy. baby garret joined us, since he comes with me where ever i go. while it is hard to see, i’m wearing a fabulous new headband that madeleine sewed for each of us. (it’s kinda falling off my head, so madeleine is making adjustmens so it will fit me perfectly.)

here at lunapads, most of us are celebrating the holidays with family. i’m staying in town and my in-laws are visiting us, madeleine is island hopping around the vancouver area, marie genevieve is going to see her folks in kelowna and gonie is staying home too (having spent some time in the phillipines with her family last month.) sandra however is on a big adventure touring south america with her boyfriend. you can keep up to date on her blog here. we also want to welcome lisa, who has joined lunapads in december to help with the staffing gaps over the holidays.

where are you this holiday season and how will you be celebrating? we look forward to connecting with you more in 2007.

If you live in and or around Vancouver, please join us at “maternal creations” an arts and crafts event created and hosted by my fabulous midwives.This event will feature mothers from the Vancouver community who have come together to sell and exhibit unique trinkets and enjoyables that are sewn, thrown, painted, beaded, quilted, molded and stamped. There will be clothes, jewelry, baby-carriers, ceramics, bags, cards and knitted wear. Lunapads will be there to sell post partum pads and blankets, and, with some degree of nervousness, I’ll be showing one of my own pieces of art (a chinese water painting). I’m looking forward to a great social gathering and opportunity to find some unique holiday gifts from local artisans.

Friday, November 24th, 4-8pm
Saturday, November 25th, 12-5pm
admission: Free

at: Pomegranate Community Midwives
2647 East Hastings (between Slocan & Penticton)
604-255-5556
www.pomegranate-midwives.com

I am writing to tell all of your readers and customers about a FANTASTIC book—if they haven’t already heard of it and read it because it’s taking North America by storm. It’s Ami McKay’s ‘The Birth House’. I picked up this book because I had the good fortune to hear and be wowed by the author read and answer questions at Halifax’s first International Writer’s and Reader’s Festival last spring. Ami McKay is as delightful and intelligent in person as she is in her ability to tell a story.

Among the many reasons I, and my book club mates, enjoyed this book is the attention McKay pays to women’s ways of being. The connections we create through birthing rituals, knitting circles or book clubs are historicized, validated and celebrated in the author’s first novel. Equally impressive is the attention McKay pays to bringing to light the long road women have had to journey to have control over their health care and birthing processes. Through delightful accounts of a mechanical tool’s ability to make the main character heal on her own (who knew the history of the vibrator?!) to a well-developed cacophony of local characters up against an equally brilliantly-illustrated circle of women friends, McKay’s story of Dora Rare is one of historical and contemporary significance.

I’ve bought the book for friends and family living in the US, Canada, and Northern Ireland. While set in Canada’s rural Nova Scotia, Dora Rare reaches across borders not only because of the universal social themes but also because it’s a darn good yarn!

Best wishes from Canada’s East Coast, DeNel S.

In Chinese culture we celebrate the baby’s first month birthday. A few weeks ago, we held such a party for Garret (who is now 6 weeks old) at our house, where family and friends gathered for a Chinese feast. Since my parents come from mainland China, they still honor many Chinese traditions, and I’m usually keen to adopt them. Another tradition (that I didn’t stick to) is the expectation that mom and baby stay indoors for 30 days to rest and be safe from potential germs and illness. After 30 days, parents introduce their baby to friends and relatives; kind of like a coming out party for mom and baby.

Before guests arrived, Garret was bathed and dressed in new clothes and adorned with juniper leaves and given red envelopes (lycee, or lucky money). Then, we lit incense, made an offering of food and conducted a blessing ceremony for him with prayers for a happy and harmonious life.

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On Monday August 28th, mid morning, I realized my mucous plug had broken. Excited, I phoned my doula and my midwife who asked me to keep them posted throughout the day for any other changes. So, I carried on the day getting things ready to possibly give birth that day, but with no particular urgency.

All along, the plan was to have a home birth, since my first birth with Aiden was without any complications. Not completely satisfied with the hospital birth and my caregivers, I was moved by the stories and experience of friends who had successful home births, and I longed to have a more peaceful and gentle birth in the comfort of our own home. With the support of my husband Craig and a team of amazing midwives and a doula, I got my wish…

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When I was pregnant with Aiden 4 years ago, I read about blessingway ceremonies and immediately realized this is what I wanted for me and the baby. Last week, surrounded by a dozen special women in my life, we had another blessingway ceremony for me and baby #2, and it was a special night indeed.

A blessingway ceremony originates from a navajo tradition to celebrate, support and honour many of life’s changes. With the help of a little research on google, I worked with a dear friend, Signy Wilson, to develop a blessingway ceremony to honour the upcoming birth and create some special energy so that the baby would feel safe and welcome coming into the world. Signy, our spiritual leader for the evening, not only set the stage and led us through an amazing ceremony, but knows how to bring out the goddess out in all of us. We sat in a cirlce, cleansed the space, honoured our matrilineal line and adorned an altar with symbollic treasures and reminders for me to use during the birth.

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